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What You Need To Know About Dry Mouth

Do you feel like you don't have enough saliva to keep your mouth wet? You may even have problems chewing, swallowing and even talking. If so, you may be one of the millions of people battling dry mouth, or xerostomia.

Women and older adults are most commonly affected by dry mouth. It can be a side-effect of pregnancy and is a normal sign of aging. But there are a lot other dry mouth causes.

So, let’s take a look at some of the complications and causes of dry mouth and what you can do about it.

Symptoms of dry mouth include:

A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth

Trouble eating or speaking

A burning feeling in the mouth

A dry feeling in the throat

Cracked lips

A dry, rough tongue

Dry Mouth Complications

If you don't have enough saliva and develop dry mouth, this can lead to complications like:

Increased plaque, tooth decay and gum disease

Mouth sores

Yeast infection in your mouth (thrush)

Sores or split skin at the corners of your mouth or cracked lips

Poor nutrition from having problems with chewing and swallowing

Dry Mouth and Diabetes

A dry mouth can exacerbate the side effects of diabetes, which will then lead to an increase in glucose levels, wreaking havoc on the body. A dry mouth is not only a symptom of high blood sugar, but it can also be the cause of it.

Causes of Dry Mouth

Your dry mouth could be caused by something somewhat simple like sleeping with your mouth open. But there are other things that cause it to develop, like:

Smoking—chewing or smoking tobacco increases your risk

Cancer Treatment—radiation therapy can damage salivary glands

Nerve Damage—an injury or surgery to the head or neck can cause dry mouth

But eating carrots or celery may help with residual salivary gland function, and breathing through your nose as much as possible can help, too. To keep your dry mouth under control, you should conduct a daily mouth examination. Watch for unusual colored patches, tooth decay or ulcers. Report anything unusual to your doctor or dentist.

Another way to keep your health in check is by knowing your numbers. Your cholesterol, blood pressure and weight can tell you if you’re at risk for developing a serious illness or disease. You can check yours by downloading our guide “Know Your Numbers.”